Reclosable carton and blank



Fell 1966 K. D. BIXLER ETAL 3,233,813

RECLOSABLE CARTON AND BLANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1964 INVENTORS Kenneth D. Bixiera Edward P. Fonter BY awn C4). flow s FIG.|.

ATTORNEY K. D. BIXLER ETAL 3,233,818

RECLOSABLE CARTON AND BLANK Feb. 8, 1966 Filed July 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 man... II.

I/llll INVENTORS Kenneth D. Bixlera Edward P. Fanter ATTORNEY FIG. l3.

United States Patent 3,233,818 RECLOSABLE CARTON AND BL Kenneth D. Bixler, Huntington, and Edward P. Fanter, Elmhnrst, N.Y., assignors to Diamond international Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 15, 1964, Ser. No. 382,753 16 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) This invention rel-ates particularly to an improved blank providing a closure for cartons, and to an improved carton closure for hinged lid cartons particularly adaptable for use with a foldable lining or product-containing bag.

The demand for linings produced from foil, impervious plastic bags, etc., in paperboard, etc. cartons, is constantly increasing according to modern packaging practices. When a portion of the packaged contents is used, and the carton is to be reclosed, it is highly desirable to maintain the remaining contents in a relatively fresh condition. In this regard, it is important to substantially seal the lining to prevent air from reaching the carton contents; particularly in the case of comestibles.

Primary objects of the present invention are to provide a novel carton and blank for producing a reclosable package; to provide a novel closure for a recl-osable carton; to provide novel means for affording tight rescaling of a lined reclosable cart-0n and package; to provide an improved lock tab for a reclosable carton; to provide novel means for forming .a tight seal on a reclosable cart-on including a hinged cover panel.

These together with other and more specific objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings forming a part thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the novel blank of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the erected blank having a flexible, scalable substantially transparent bag disposed therein;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 opposite that shown in FIG. 2 and showing the upper portion of the bag sealed prior to closing the package;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the next step of closing the package;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closed package;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 5 and showing by means of dotted lines relative po- 7 sition of the lock tab of the carton;

PEG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing the manner in which a displaceable tab is depressed for initiating opening of the package;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of line 99.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGS. 6 and 8 and showing the relative position of the portions of the inner closure flap of the package;

P16. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view looking substantially on the plane of line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing the relative portion of the cooperating parts of the closure tab as the carton is being opened.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevation showing the sealed upper edges of a bag closed in a manner sornewhat different from that disclosed in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevation of still another type of bag closure.

First referring to FIG. 1, a one-piece blank of paper board or any other suitably scored and die-cut material is indicated generally at 10. The blank 19 comprises a first end wall 12, a first side wall 14, a second end wall 16, a second side wall 18, and a glue flap 20. The panels 12-18 and glue flap 20 are hingedly connected to each other on mutually parallel fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 which extend the height of the walls and glue flap. The walls 1-2-18 have respectively connected by means of lower marginal fold lines 38, 32, 34 and 36 suitable diecut bottom closure flaps 38, 40, 42 and 4 4 separated from each other by means of suitable die-cuts colinear with the respective fold lines 2248.

The structure identified above is substantially conventional as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Additionally, the glue flap 20 could be formed along the vertical margin 46 of the end wall12 as will be recognized by those skilled in the art.

The end walls 12 and 16 include an upper margin defined by transverse fold lines 48 and 51}, respectively, to which are hingedly connected triangular orienting flaps 52. and 54 which serve to tuck in side portions of a flexible and impervious sealing bag, as will be subsequently described in detail.

The side wall 14 includes an upper marginal fold line 56 colinear with fold lines 48 and 58, and to which is hingedly connected a rectangular, outer closure flap 58. The flap 58 includes die-cut side margins 66 and 62 c0- linear with the fold lines 22 and 24, respectively, and includes an upper margin formed by spaced segmental die cuts 64 and 66 parallel to the fold line 56 and an intervening fold line 68.

Hingedly connected to the fold line 68 is a lock tab 78 including flanking notch portions 72 and 74, from which extend arcuate margins 76 and 7-8, respectively, connected by an intermediate margin 80 substantially parallcl to the fold line 68. Extending in converging relationship substantially trom terminal ends of the fold line 68 and at the inner portion of the notches 72 and 74, respectively, are converging fold or score lines 82, 84, respectively, wihch extend to the margin 80. The fold line 82 and arcuate margin 76 define a displa-ceable tab 86, and the fold line 84 and arcuate margin 78 define a similar displaceable tab 88. The closure flap 58 has extending therethrough, between side margins 60 and 62, a fold or score line 96 which is spaced slightly above the fold line 56; the function of this fold line being illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, as will subsequently be described in detail.

The side wall 18 has an upper margin formed by spaced score or fold lines 92 and 94 colinear with fold lines 48, 56 and 50 and to which is hingedly connected an inner closure flap 96. Extending between the fold lines 92 and 94 is a cut or slot 98 providing a female opening for the lock tab 70. Formed centrally of the cut line or slot 98 and extending into the side wall 18 thereat is a U-ShEUPBCi, severable line 180 forming a displaceable tab 182. "Blanking the slot 98 are a pair of angular nicks or cuts 104 and 186 which extend into the side wall 18 and facilitate closure, opening and reclosure of the carton.

The inner closure flap 96 is defined by die-cut side margins 108 and 118, respectively, oolinear with the score or fold lines 26 and 2 8, and an upper pair of shallow-angled, converging marginal edges 112 and 114 interrupted by an intermediate notch or slot 116. Extending toward the base 118 of the slot or notch 116 from the terminal ends 120 and 122 of the margins 112 and 114, respectively, are shallow converging score or fold lines 124 and 126 forming bag-pinching segments 128 and 130 (see FIGS. 4 and 7, for example). 7

Also extending into the inner closure flap 96 in the same general direction of the notches or slots 104 and 106 are converging fold lines 131 and 132 which terminate at the upper end 134 of a downwardly extending, severable or perforated score line 136 terminating at the slot 98.

Formed adjacent the terminal ends of the score lines 92 and 94- in the inner closure flap 96, i.e., on the side opposite shown in FIG. 1, are preferably circular, delaminable areas 138 and 140 which will have adhesive applied thereto to adhere to the inner surface of the closure flap 58 at the areas 142 and 144 shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1.

The blank is assembled as a tube by folding glue flap onto the inner surface of side Wall 18, and folding end wall 12 and side wall 14 and fold line 24 into overlying relationship with respect to walls 16 and 13 so that portion 146 of the end wall 12 will adhere to glue flap 20 (see FIG. 2, for example).

The inner surface of the side wall 14 (see FIG. 1) has any suitable adhesive-receiving area 148 to which adheres one side of an impervious, flexible bag 150 which will be filled with a commodity that may be partialy used or removed from the bag and generally requiring a tight reclosure to preserve the freshness of the remainder. Additionally, the areas 142 and'144 will only adhere to the delaminable portions 138 and 140 of the inner closure flap 96 due to the use of print-release varnish which promotes adhesion only in the selected areas.

The bag 150 will be closed at its bottom in any suitable manner and the bottom closure flaps 38-44 will also be closed in the conventional manner; for example,-the flaps 3'8 and 42 will be disposed in parallel relationship with the flap underlying the outer closure flap 44 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, for example.

Considering FIG. 2, the bag 150 will have an open top and will be filled with the commodity, such as coconut, confection sugar, rice, etc. The upper edge of the bag 150 will be hermetically sealed by means of a suitable sealindicated generally at 152. Next, the end wall, triangular fla-ps 52 and 54 will be folded inwardly to engage opposite sides of the bag 150 and provide folds as clearly seen in FIG. 3. The flaps 52 and 54 can be folded inwardly prior to forming the seal 152 to facilitate the proper orientation of the upper end of the bag prior to forming the seal 152. 1

Next, the inner closure flap 96 is folded into overlying relationship with respect to the flaps 52 and 54 as seen in FIG. 4, and the segments 128 and 130. will be disposed at the fold lines 56 and 90 of the outer closure flap. Next, the outer closure flap 58 will be folded onto the outer surface of the flap 96 with, bag 150 adhering only to the circular delaminable segments 138 and 140 due to adhesive-prohibiting varnish being deposited on the outer surface of the flap 96. Finally, the male lock tab 70 will be inserted in the slot 98, the flanking slots 104 and 106 facilitating entry of the male slot into the slot 98 and the package will be assembled as seen in FIGS. 5-7.

As previously mentioned, FIGS. 6 and 7 show the package in an initially closed condition. In order to' open the package, pressure is applied against the perforated segment 102 in the manner shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When inward pressure is applied on the perforated segment 102, the male lock tab 70 is collapsed inwardly, as seen in FIG. 9 on the converging score or fold lines 82 and 84.

Due to continued pressure, the severable perforated line 136 yields, separating triangular segments 136' and 136" which will swing upwardly and permit the inwardly yielding lock tab 70 and the flanking segments 86 and 80 thereof to move to the position shown in FIG. 11, wherein the outer closure flap 58 may be readily lifted. The delaminable glue spot segments 1 38 and 140 will permit the ready lifting of the outer closure flap 58. Next, the flap 96 is moved aside so access may be had to the upper sealed edge 152 of the bag 150.

The seal 152 is ruptured, preferably tearing along line 153; see FIG. 3, and a portion of the contents of the bag 150 may be used. After a sufficient amount of the product has been removed from the bag 150, the bag may be refolded in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and the inner closure flap 96 is folded in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Next, the outer closure flap 58 is folded onto the flap 96, it being noted that the elongated and triangular segments 128 and 130 will have the upper edge of the bag 3150 folded thereover. Further, these segments will be pinched at the fold lines 56 and formed at the outer closure flap 158, as clearly shown in FIG. 7. The reclosure of the package is completed by inserting the male locking tab 70 through the slot 98 formed in the upper edge of the front wall 18, and the flanking slots 104 and 106 will readily accommodate the re-insertion of the lock tab 70.

Considering FIG. 12, the slightly modified embodiment of the sealed bag is indicated generally at 250 and includes transversely of the upper edge a modified sealing assembly 252. The seal 252 incorporates a circumferential removable tear strip 254 facilitating removal and opening of the upper edge of the bag 250.

Another embodiment of scaled bag is indicated at 350 in FIG. 13, and includes in the sealing assembly 352 a pair of cuts or nicks 35 and 356 which facilitate tearing the seal 352 transversely of the bag.

Although the means for reclosing the package and tightly sealing the bag is shown in detail With respect to the specific lock taband accommodating slot structure, portions of the disclosed novel combination are usable independently as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the invention, and therefore within the scope of the appened claims the invention may be practiced other than is specifically claimed.

We claim:

1. In a one-piece blank for producing a carton used to form a reclosable sealed package and including two pairs of alternately disposed, rectangular end and side walls connected on mutually parallel fold lines and including upper marginal fold lines; the improvement comprising;

an inner closure flap foldably connected to the upper marginal edge of one of said side walls;

said inner closure flap including a female slot extending through said coextensive with an intermediate portion of said upper marginal fold line and flanked by diverging terminal notches extending into said one of said side walls; an outer closure flap foldably connected to the upper margin of said other side wall,

said outer closure flap including a male lock tab foldably connected to a free margin of said outer closure flap opposite said upper marginal fold line of said other side wall and having a length substantially equal to the length of said female slot,

said lock tab including lateral, displaceable segments formed by fold lines in said tab and converging from the fold line along said free margin, said inner closure flap including a pair of converging fold lines extending in converging relationship generally from the terminal ends of said female slot and intersecting intermediately of said inner closure flap,

said inner closure flap including a severable perforated line extending from the intersection of said converging score lines to said female slot for forming a pair of adjacent, triangular and displaceable segments for facilitating opening of a package formed from said blank.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said one side wall'includes a displaceable segment intermediately of said female slot and extending therebelow into said one side wall.

3. In a one-piece blank for producing a carton used to form a reclosable sealed package and including two pairs of alternately disposed,,rectangular end and side walls connected on mutually parallel fold. lines and including upper marginal fold lines; the improvement comprising;

an inner closure flap foldably connected to the upper marginal edge of one of said side walls;

said inner closure flap including a female slot extending through and coextensive with an intermediate portion of said upper marginal fold line and flanked by diverging terminal notches extending into said one of said side walls; an outer closure flap foldably connected to the upper margin of said other side wall,

said outer closure flap including a male lock tab foldably connected to a free margin of said outer closure flap opposite said upper marginal fold line of said other side wall and having a length substantially equal to the length of said female slot,

said lock tab including lateral, displaceable segments formed by fold lines in said tab and converging from the fold line along said free margin, said inner closure flap including delaminatable, glue spot portions for detachable engagement with portions of said outer closure flap when the carton is erected from said blank.

4. In a one-piece blank for producing a carton used to form a reclosable sealed package and including two pairs of alternately disposed, rectangular end and side walls connected on mutually parallel fold lines and in cluding upper marginal fold lines; the improvement comprising;

an inner closure flap foldably connected to the upper marginal edge of one of said side walls;

said inner closure fiap including a female slot extending through and coextensive with an intermediate portion of said upper marginal fold line and flanked by diverging terminal notches extending into said one of said side walls; an outer closure flap foldably connected to the upper margin of said other side wall,

said outer closure flap including a male lock tab foldably connected to a free margin of said outer closure flap opposite said upper marginal fold line of said other side wall and having a length substantially equal to the length of said female slot,

said lock tab including lateral, displaceable segments formed by fold lines in said tab and converging from the fold line along said free margin, said end walls including triangular flaps hingedly connected to the upper marginal edges thereof.

5. In a one-piece blank for producing a carton used to form a reclosable sealed package and including two pairs of alternately disposed, rectangular end and side walls connected on mutually parallel fold lines and including upper marginal fold lines, the improvement comprising:

an inner closure flap foldably connected to the upper marginal edge of one of said side walls, said inner closure flap including a female slot extending through and coextensive with an intermediate portion of said upper marginal fol-d line,

said inner closure flap including a free margin remote from the fold line thereof with said one side wall, said inner flap including fold lines spaced inwardly of said free margin and defining at least one displaceable flap portion;

an outer closure flap foldably connected to the upper margin of said other side wall,

said outer closure flap including a male lock tab foldably connected to a free margin of said outer closure flap opposite said upper marginal fold line of said other side wall and removingly receivable in said female slot.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 in which said inner closure flap comprises a pair of shallow-angled converging fold lines extending toward each other from the terminal ends of the free margin of said inner closure flap, a notch extending from the intersection of said shallow angle converging fold lines to the free margin of said inner closure flap,

said outer closure fiap comprising a second fold line extending the width of said outer closure flap and parallel to the hingle line thereof with said other side wall for accommodating the displaceable flap portion at the free edge of said inner closure flap when said blank is formed into a rectangular carton.

77 The structure as claimed in claim 5 in which said inner closure flap includes terminal notches flanking said female slot and extending into said one of said side walls, said male locking tab including lateral, displaceable segments formed by fold lines in said tab and converging from an intermediate free margin portion of said outer closure flap.

8. The structure as claimed in claim 6 in which said inner closure flap includes a pair of converging fold lines extending in converging relationship generally from the terminal ends of said female slot and intersecting intermediately of said inner closure flap, said inner closure flap including a severable line extending from the intersection of said converging score lines to said female slot for forming a pair of adjacent, triangular and displaceable segments for facilitating the opening of a package formed from said blank.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 5 in which said end walls include triangular flaps hingedly connected to the upper marginal edges thereof.

it). In a reclosable package including a rectangular carton including opposed pairs of end and side walls having upper closure flaps connected to upper marginal fold lines on said walls, the fold lines between one of said side walls and the closure flap hingedly connected thereto including a female slot having flanking notch portions extending into said one side wall, the closure flap hingedly connected to one side wall including converging fold lines extending from the terminal ends of said female slot and intersecting intermediately of said closure flap, and a severable score line extending from the intersection of said converging fold lines to said female slot and forming displaceable triangular segments in said closure flap, the closure flap hingedly connected to said other side wall including a male lock tab hingedly connected to the free margin thereof for removable receipt in said female slot, said male lock tab including displaceable lateral segments hingedly connected to said male lock tab for removable receipt in said flanking notch portions in said one side wall of the carton.

11. The structure as claimed in claim 10 in which one side wall includes a 'displaceable segment adjacent to and depending from said female slot for facilitating opening of the carton.

12. The structure as claimed in claim 16 in which said inner closure flap includes delaminatable glue spot portions engageable with overlying portions of said outer closure flap.

13. The structure as claimed in claim 10 in which said end walls include triangular closure flaps hingedly connected to the upper marginal fold lines thereof.

14. A reclosable package comprising a rectangular carton including opposed pairs of end and side walls having upper closure flaps connected to upper marginal fold lines of said walls, a flexible bag containing a product and disposed in said carton and having an upper portion extending above the upper marginal fold lines of said walls, one of said side walls having an intermediate female slot formed in the upper marginal fold line thereof, the closure flap hingedly connected to the upper marginal fold line of said one side wall including displaceable segments in the free marginal edge thereof positionable adjacent the upper marginal fold line of said other side Wall, the closure flap foldably connected to said other side wall including a male lock tab foldably connected to the free marginal edge thereof and removably receivable in said female slot, said other closure flap including a transverse fold line adjacent to and spaced from the upper marginal fold line of said other side wall for providing a space for receiving the displaceable portion of said first mentioned inner closure flap.

15. The structure as claimed in claim 14 in which said end Walls include triangular closure flaps engageable with said flexible bag for providing tucks in opposite side portions thereof.

16. The structure as claimed in claim 14 in which said inner closure flap includes converging fold lines extending from terminal ends of said female slot and intersecting intermediately of said inner closure flap, a severable perforated line extending from the intersection of said converging fold lines to said female slot for forming triangular segments in said inner closure flap, said one side wall including flanking notch portionsextending into said one side Wall at terminal ends of said female slot, said male lock tab including a .pair of angularly related fold lines defining displaceable lock tab segments at opposite sides of said lock tab.

References Cited by the Examiner,

UNETED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A ONE-PIECE BLANK FOR PRODUCING A CARTON USED TO FORM A RECLOSABLE SEALED PACKAGE AND INCLUDING TWO PAIRS OF ALTERNATELY DISPOSED, RECTANGULAR END OF SIDE WALLS CONNECTED ON MANUALLY PARALLEL FOLD LINES AND INCLUDING UPPER MARGINAL FOLD LINES; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING; AN INNER CLOSURE FLAP FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER MARGINAL EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS; SAID INNER CLOSURE FLAP INCLUDING A FEMALE SLOT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID COEXTENSIVE WITH AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID UPPER MARGINAL FOLD LINE AND FLANKED BY DIVERGING TERMINAL NOTCHES EXTENDING INTO SAID ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS; AN OUTER CLOSURE FLAP FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER MARGIN OF SAID OTHER SIDE WALL, SAID OUTER CLOSURE FLAP INCLUDING A MALE LOCK TAB FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO A FREE MARGIN OF SAID OUTER CLOSURE FLAP OPPOSITE SAID UPPER MARGINAL 